The Bass Bar Double Bass Stand

Product Information

For beginner bassists, we recommend the Nyman and Pop brands, but there are plenty of other great options available. Tuning [ edit ] Regular tuning [ edit ] Double bass player Vivien Garry playing a show in New York City in 1947 The lowest note of a double bass is an E 1 (on standard four-string basses) at approximately 41Hz or a C 1 (≈33Hz), or sometimes B 0 (≈31Hz), when five strings are used. This is within about an octave above the lowest frequency that the average human ear can perceive as a distinctive pitch. The top of the instrument's fingerboard range is typically near D 5, two octaves and a fifth above the open pitch of the G string (G 2), as shown in the range illustration found at the head of this article. Playing beyond the end of the fingerboard can be accomplished by pulling the string slightly to the side. Renting is also a great option if you’re not sure about whether you or your child will enjoy the double bass - you might find yourself playing viola or cello instead! Read our guide to renting versus buying.

In the 19th century, the opera conductor, composer, and bassist Giovanni Bottesini was considered the " Paganini of the double bass" of his time, a reference to the violin virtuoso and composer. Bottesini's bass concertos were written in the popular Italian opera style of the 19th century, which exploit the double bass in a way that was not seen beforehand. They require virtuosic runs and great leaps to the highest registers of the instrument, even into the realm of natural and artificial harmonics. Many 19th century and early 20th century bassists considered these compositions unplayable, but in the 2000s, they are frequently performed. During the same time, a prominent school of bass players in the Czech region arose, which included Franz Simandl, Theodore Albin Findeisen, Josef Hrabe, Ludwig Manoly, and Adolf Mišek. Simandl and Hrabe were also pedagogues whose method books and studies remain in use in the 2000s. Slightly smaller string works with the double bass include six string sonatas by Gioachino Rossini, for two violins, cello, and double bass written at the age of twelve over the course of three days in 1804. These remain his most famous instrumental works and have also been adapted for wind quartet. Rossini and Dragonetti composed duos for cello and double bass, as did Johannes Matthias Sperger, a major soloist on the "Viennese" tuning instrument of the 18th century. Franz Anton Hoffmeister wrote four String Quartets for Solo Double Bass, Violin, Viola, and Cello in D Major. Frank Proto has written a Trio for Violin, Viola and Double Bass (1974), 2 Duos for Violin and Double Bass (1967 and 2005), and The Games of October for Oboe/English Horn and Double Bass (1991). Bass, upright bass, string bass, acoustic bass, acoustic string bass, contrabass, contrabass viol, bass viol, bass violin, standup bass, bull fiddle, doghouse bass, and bass fiddleCountry music bassist "Too Slim" ( Fred LaBour of Riders in the Sky) performing in Ponca City, Oklahoma, in 2008 It was a way for the instrument maker to show off their skills and lots of instruments would also have human or animals heads as well. 16. If it Weren’t for Intestines, We Wouldn’t Have the Double Bass

The double bass ( / ˈ d ʌ b əl b eɪ s/), also known simply as the bass ( / b eɪ s/), amongst other names, is the largest and, therefore, lowest-pitched chordophone [1] in the modern symphony orchestra (excluding unorthodox additions such as the octobass). [2] Similar in structure to the cello, it has four, although occasionally five, strings. Because of its body size and low tuning, the double bass is one of the quietest stringed instruments in any orchestral lineup. The bodies of orchestral and concert double basses are most commonly made from strong, durable wood like maple or spruce. A quiver is an accessory for holding the bow. It is often made of leather and it attaches to the bridge and tailpiece with ties or straps. It is used to hold the bow while a player plays pizzicato parts. Upgraded bow - some intermediate double basses in this price range will include a higher quality bow to compliment the instrument.

You may also like...

Famous double bass makers come from around the world and often represent varied national characteristics. The most highly sought (and expensive) instruments come from Italy and include basses made by Giovanni Paolo Maggini, Gasparo da Salò, the Testore family (Carlo Antonio, Carlo Giuseppe, Gennaro, Giovanni, Paulo Antonio), Celestino Puolotti, and Matteo Goffriller. French and English basses from famous makers are also sought out by players. [ citation needed] Travel instruments [ edit ] In 2004 Italian double bassist and composer Stefano Scodanibbio made a double bass arrangement of Luciano Berio's 2002 solo cello work Sequenza XIV with the new title Sequenza XIVb. Traditionally, double bassists stood to play solo and sat to play in the orchestra or opera pit. Now, it is unusual for a player to be equally proficient in both positions, so some soloists sit (as with Joel Quarrington, Jeff Bradetich, Thierry Barbé, and others) and some orchestral bassists stand. If you are an adult beginner, you may know how to read a little bit of music already. If your child is about to start music lessons, they may not know - and that’s okay! There are so many things to consider when you’re starting a new musical instrument, whether it is the double bass or the clarinet! It can feel a little overwhelming - what age is best to start, what accessories do I need, will I even enjoy this? We’re here to make the start of your musical journey a little easier - we know exactly how you’re feeling and it’s our pleasure to share our advice with you. This guide is perfect for parents or adult learners themselves.

Many teachers are now offering online lessons. You just need an internet connection, a tablet or computer with speakers and built-in microphone, and you can set up easily. Your teacher will help guide you through positioning your computer so they can see your posture. If you are seeking to do most of your learning at home, many of the method books also have CDs included or access to online accompaniments, and some even include free access to the Smart Music interactive practice software. Most professional orchestral players use four-string double basses with a C extension. This is an extra section of fingerboard mounted on the head of the bass. It extends the fingerboard under the lowest string and gives an additional four semitones of downward range. The lowest string is typically tuned down to C 1, an octave below the lowest note on the cello (as it is quite common for a bass part to double the cello part an octave lower). More rarely this string may be tuned to a low B 0, as a few works in the orchestral repertoire call for such a B, such as Respighi's The Pines of Rome. In rare cases, some players have a low B extension, which has B as its lowest note. There are several varieties of extensions:

General Accessories

Owing to their relatively small diameters, the strings themselves do not move much air and therefore cannot produce much sound on their own. The vibrational energy of the strings must somehow be transferred to the surrounding air. Prior to the 20th century, double bass strings were usually made of catgut; however, steel has largely replaced it, because steel strings hold their pitch better and yield more volume when played with the bow. [17] [18] [19] Gut strings are also more vulnerable to changes of humidity and temperature, and break more easily than steel strings.

In this article, we will explain some good factors to look out for when buying your favorite stand. Many upright bass players have contributed to the evolution of jazz. Examples include swing era players such as Jimmy Blanton, who played with Duke Ellington, and Oscar Pettiford, who pioneered the instrument's use in bebop. Paul Chambers (who worked with Miles Davis on the famous Kind of Blue album) achieved renown for being one of the first jazz bassists to play bebop solos with the bow. Terry Plumeri furthered the development of arco (bowed) solos, achieving horn-like technical freedom and a clear, vocal bowed tone, while Charlie Haden, best known for his work with Ornette Coleman, defined the role of the bass in Free Jazz. For instruments in this price range, it is also important that individual parts are included or upgraded.Most “full size” double basses that you see, especially in orchestral settings, are actually 3/4 size! Adults mostly play on 3/4 double basses, unless their hands are much larger. Then they might use a 7/8 or even an actual 4/4, but most “gigging” bassists would use 3/4 for convenience. Larger sizes are more the requirements of a very strong bassist with big hands working in a symphony orchestra. View our size guide to measure yourself or your child at home, or drop in to Simply for Strings to be assisted by one of our bass-playing staff. Bow - not all accessories are of the same quality, and since a bow is essential to playing the double bass, make sure your new double bass is supplied with a wooden or carbon graphite bow that will help you create a better sound. While it certainly isn’t practical to play, that double bass must be a sight to behold! 5. There are Two Main Designs for the Double Bass